Healthy Ground Beef Skillet – 30-Minute One-Pan Meal

This Healthy Ground Beef Skillet is my go-to answer for a quick, nutritious weeknight dinner. It's packed with colorful vegetables, lean protein, and a savory tomato-based sauce that the whole family will love.

The best part? Everything cooks in one skillet, so you have minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. It's naturally gluten-free and can easily be made dairy-free or low-carb to suit your dietary needs.

About the Ingredients

1 lb (450g) lean ground beef (93% lean)

Lean ground beef keeps the dish healthy. For a lighter option, use ground turkey or chicken.

1 tbsp olive oil

Use extra-virgin olive oil for better flavor. You can substitute avocado oil.

1 medium yellow onion, diced

Yellow onion adds sweetness. Use white or red onion if preferred.

2 cloves garlic, minced

Fresh garlic is best. Use 1/2 tsp garlic powder in a pinch.

1 red bell pepper, diced

Red bell pepper is sweet and colorful. Any bell pepper works.

1 medium zucchini, diced

Zucchini adds moisture and nutrients. Substitute yellow squash.

1 cup (240ml) low-sodium beef broth

Low-sodium broth controls salt. Use chicken or vegetable broth if you prefer.

1 can (14.5 oz / 410g) diced tomatoes, undrained

Fire-roasted diced tomatoes add smoky flavor. Regular diced tomatoes are fine.

2 tbsp tomato paste

Tomato paste thickens and deepens flavor. No substitute needed.

1 tsp dried oregano

Dried oregano is classic. Use Italian seasoning blend if you have it.

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Smoked paprika adds subtle smokiness. Regular paprika works.

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Season generously. Use kosher salt for best results.

2 cups (60g) fresh spinach

Fresh spinach wilts quickly. Substitute kale (cook longer) or Swiss chard.

1/4 cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Fresh parsley brightens the dish. Use cilantro or basil as alternatives.

Tips & Tricks

• Don't overcrowd the skillet when browning the beef – work in batches if needed to get a good sear.
• Dice vegetables uniformly so they cook evenly.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer uncovered for the last 5 minutes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Brown the Beef

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (375°F/190°C). Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Remove beef with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving drippings in the skillet.

2. Sauté Aromatics

In the same skillet, add onion and bell pepper. Cook over medium heat (350°F/175°C) until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Add Zucchini

Stir in zucchini and cook for 3-4 minutes until it starts to soften but still has a bite.

4. Create the Sauce

Add tomato paste and stir for 1 minute to cook out the raw flavor. Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes with their juices. Stir in oregano, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

5. Simmer the Mixture

Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to low (250°F/120°C) and let it simmer, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir occasionally.

6. Combine Beef and Spinach

Return the browned beef to the skillet and add the fresh spinach. Stir gently and cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and everything is heated through.

7. Adjust Seasoning

Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

8. Garnish and Serve

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot. Enjoy as is, or over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice.

Delicious Variations

Low-Carb/Keto

Serve over cauliflower rice or zoodles instead of regular rice.

Extra Veggies

Add mushrooms, carrots, or green beans along with the other vegetables.

Cheesy Version

Sprinkle shredded cheddar or mozzarella on top during the last 2 minutes of cooking.

How to Store Healthy Ground Beef Skillet

Frequently Asked Questions

I hope you love this Healthy Ground Beef Skillet as much as we do! If you try it, be sure to leave a comment and rating below – I'd love to hear how it turned out for you.

Healthy Ground Beef Skillet

Healthy Ground Beef Skillet: a savory, veggie-packed one-pan dinner ready in 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights!

★★★★½ 4.8 (156 ratings)

15 minPrep time25 minCook time6Servings285 kcalCalories

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🧂 Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef (93% lean)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 cup (240ml) low-sodium beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 410g) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups (60g) fresh spinach
• 1/4 cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

📋 Instructions

1. 1Brown the Beef — Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (375°F/190°C). Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Remove beef with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving drippings in the skillet.
2. 2Sauté Aromatics — In the same skillet, add onion and bell pepper. Cook over medium heat (350°F/175°C) until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. 3Add Zucchini — Stir in zucchini and cook for 3-4 minutes until it starts to soften but still has a bite.
4. 4Create the Sauce — Add tomato paste and stir for 1 minute to cook out the raw flavor. Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes with their juices. Stir in oregano, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
5. 5Simmer the Mixture — Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to low (250°F/120°C) and let it simmer, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir occasionally.
6. 6Combine Beef and Spinach — Return the browned beef to the skillet and add the fresh spinach. Stir gently and cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and everything is heated through.
7. 7Adjust Seasoning — Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
8. 8Garnish and Serve — Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot. Enjoy as is, or over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Note: This recipe is versatile and forgiving – feel free to swap in whatever vegetables you have on hand. Enjoy!

Servings: 6

Cuisine: American

Course: Main Course

Nutrition (per serving): 285 kcal · 12g protein · 22g carbs · 9g fat